Stableford and other individual formats
The R&A / USGA · 2023How points, maximum scores and hole results replace ordinary stroke totals.
Alternative stroke-play scoring
Stableford rewards performance against a fixed target, normally par: target score earns 2 points, one better earns 3, one worse earns 1, and worse still or no score earns 0. The highest total wins. Maximum Score caps each hole at the Committee’s chosen limit. Par/Bogey compares each hole with a fixed target and totals holes won minus holes lost. Players may stop a hole once no better outcome is possible.
Format-specific rules still matter
These formats remain stroke play, with specific exceptions: listed failures such as not holing out receive the worst hole result instead of disqualification; other disqualification offences still apply. Three-Ball is different: each player plays simultaneous individual matches against both others, normally using the same ball. A cancellation in only one match can require separate balls. Scrambles and greensomes need adapted competition rules.
Sources & approach ↗